Noam Chomsky
Linguist and political thinker.
10 quotes in this collection. Read them below, share your favourites, or follow the related links to explore similar voices.
All quotes by Noam Chomsky
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“If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.”
Meaning: True freedom includes tolerance for opposing views. -
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future.”
Meaning: Belief in positive outcomes drives constructive action. -
“Control of thought is more important for governments that are free and popular than for despotic states.”
Meaning: Subtle control mechanisms are used even in democratic systems. -
“States are not moral agents; people are.”
Meaning: Responsibility lies with individuals, not institutions. -
“Education is a system of imposed ignorance.”
Meaning: Traditional systems may limit independent thinking instead of encouraging it. -
“The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion.”
Meaning: Control over discourse can restrict freedom and critical thinking. -
“The general population doesn't know what's happening, and it doesn't even know that it doesn't know.”
Meaning: Lack of awareness can be deeper than ignorance itself. -
“Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.”
Meaning: A famous linguistic example showing grammatical correctness without meaning. -
“The internet could be a very positive step towards education.”
Meaning: Technology can enhance learning when used effectively. -
“We shouldn't be looking for heroes, we should be looking for good ideas.”
Meaning: Progress depends on ideas, not individuals.